Filing device.



L. H. GEBHART.

FILING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 28. 19'4- 1 1 98,43 5 Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

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LEWIS H. GEBHART, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

FILING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

Application filed April 28, 1914. Serial No. 834,9 4}.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in filing devices.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a collapsible paper index cabinet for the use of housewives, merchants and others who need a cheap and simple ready reference file. The wood and metal files now in use are beyond the means of many persons who would welcome a paper cabinet. Being constructed of paper, or other light, inexpensive material, the cost of manufacture would be materially cheapened, while its collapsibility would render the cost of delivery almost negligible. Its use in the household for containing recipes, patterns, etc. would make it invaluable to the housewife, by whom it could be secured at a little more than the cost of postage.

Another object of my invention is to provide spear-head locking means which firmly unite the different parts of the cabinet together, making it practically impossible to disassemble the latter after it is once set up.

One embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my im proved paper index cabinet after it has been set up. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank as cut and scored to form the file. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the spear-head locking members in a position to be inserted into one of the longitudinal slits. And Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing a side and end wall locked together by one of the spearhead members.

Throughout the specification and drawings, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts.

Referring specifically to the drawings, Fig. 2 illustrates a blank made of paper, cardboard or other light material, and cut and scored as follows: On this blank the numeral 1 designates the base of the file, and 2 and 3 its side walls, which are hingedly secured to the base along score lines 4t and 5 respectively. Hingedly secured to the side wall 2, along score lines 6 and 7 are end walls 8 and 9 respectively. These end walls 8 and 9 contain, in their middle portions, longitudinal slits 10 and 11 respectively, which are preferably parallel with the score lines 6 and 7 and are provided for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Hingedly secured to the side wall 3, along score lines 12 and 13, are flap portions 14: and 15 respectively. These flap portions extend a short distance beyond their respective score lines and terminate in spear-head locking members 16 and 17 respectively. Each of said spear-head members has a pointed front end 18, and locking ears 19 and 20. Each pair of locking ears 19 and 20 are hingedly secured to their respective spear-head member along score lines 21 and 22 respectively. It is thus possible to bend the locking ears 19 and 20 down upon their respective spear head members to enable the latter to be forced through the longitudinal slits 10 and 11 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. Hingcdly secured to the side wall 2, along a score line 23, is a top or cover 24:. The cover 24 is provided with rectangular flange portions 25, 26 and 27, which are hingedly secured thereto along score lines 28, 29 and 30. When the file is set up, these flange portions may be turned about their respective score lines, and united at their ends by stickers 31 or other suitable means (see Fig. 1). Hingedly secured to the base 1, along score lines 32 and 33, are guides 34 and 35 which serve a purpose hereinafter to be explained.

To form the upright file illustrated in Fig. 1, the collapsible members hereinbefore referred to are folded about their respective score lines as follows. The guides 34 and 35 are moved to a vertical position about their respective score lines 32 and 33. The side members 2 and 3 are then bent upwardly about their respective score lines 1 and 5, after which the end walls 8 and 9 are turned inwardly. The flap portions 14: and 15 are then bent inwardly in such a manner that the spear-head members 16 and 17 may enter and be passed through their re spective longitudinal slits 10 and 11 in the end walls 8 and 9. It is first necessary, however, to bend the locking ears 19 and 20 down upon their respective spear-head members 16 and 17, before the latter can be forced through the longitudinal slits (see Fig. 3). After they have been forced through said slits, the said locking ears may be moved outwardly by the fingers against the end -walls 8 and ,9. In this position they act as flanges to completely lock the flap portions 14 and 15 to said end walls, from which they cannot be disengaged without tearing or mutilating the file. (See Fig. l). It will thus be seen that my improved spear-head locking devices are readily adjusted, and absolutely efiicient in maintaining the file in its assembled form. hen the end and side walls have been thus united by the locking members 16 and 17, the file may be closed or opened by the hinged cover 24;.

Adapted to be contained within the file just described, is a plurality of index members 36 supplied with suitable characters or designations 37, the front ones of which show above a concave edge 38 provided in the top portion of the side wall 3.

The end walls 3% and 85 act as suitable guides for the index members 36, as well as preventing the latter from coming in contact with the pointed locking ears 19 and 20 of the spear-head members 16 and 17. These guidesalso act as reinforcing means for the end walls 8 and 9 against which they rest.

The index members which I employ are cards, but they may be made of any suitable material and fashioned in any shape which will permit them to be readily adjustable between the guides 34 and 35 without departing from the spirit oi my invention.

It will now be seen that I have provided a cheap, light and durable filing cabinet,

which may be readily assembled from its collapsed position for elficient service in the household or other place where such a file is desired,

I do not wish to be limited to the details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described, and any changes or modifications may be made therein to suit different conditions of use.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A collapsible filing device comprising a base, a pair of side walls hingedly secured to said base along score lines, a pair of end walls hingedly secured to one of said side walls, a flap portion hingedly secured to each end of the other of said side Walls,

spear-head locking members carried by each flap portion to enter a longitudinal slit provided in each end wall, each spear head member having a pair of spear point ears adapted to be folded outwardly upon said side walls after said members have been passed through the longitudinal slits, and a pair of guides hingedly secured to said base and adapted to be raised against said side and end Walls.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this th day of April, 1914.

LE'WIS H. GEBHART.

Witnesses:

CHARLES C. Brenna, HOWARD S. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

